“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him” (Psalm 34:8 NIV)

My face was scrunched up, and everyone in my house laughed. The snack that my oldest daughter brought home from college Thursday was anything but pleasant to my taste buds. Kyla thought it would be a fun idea for the family to try various goodies from around the globe that she received at school during international week.

I couldn’t quite articulate how awful the salty-sweet flavored puff tasted on my tongue, but I suppose my facial expression said it all.  

Yesterday, Kyla brought home international treats to try—again. My bad experience the day before soured me on the idea, and I refused another taste test at first. Eventually, the Hobbs kids wore me down, and I reluctantly agreed to sample a piece of Brazilian candy. Slowly, I put it in my mouth while wincing and expecting the worst.

But then, my eyes widened with delight. It was so good! I wanted more and couldn’t get enough. My previous bad experience nearly made me miss out on something wonderful.

In this walk of faith, I have encountered some people that have allowed negative things in their history to convince them that life has nothing good to offer them. They refuse to taste and see for themselves how good God is.

David, the writer of our featured passage, didn’t let bad times cause him to reject God. In fact, this verse (and all of Psalm 34) was inspired by something bad. David was a fugitive on the run from murderous King Saul and had to pretend to be insane to save his life. Yet, he lived to tell how God brought him through it and encouraged everyone to experience the blessing of taking refuge in the Lord.

In this verse, to take refuge, in Hebrew, means to flee for protection, put trust in, and hope in. David literally had to flee for protection from Saul, but it was not his award-worthy portrayal of an insane man or his ability to think on his feet that spared his life. David only lived to tell about it because of God’s protection and goodness.

What this anointed psalmist, worshiper, and warrior teaches us is that a bad experience isn’t a cause to run away from God, it is a reason to run to Him, and see just how good He is!

What bad experience have you had? A negative doctor’s report? The death of a loved one? A financial setback? A relationship fracture? A personal failure? A string of setbacks? Whatever rough spot you find yourself in, you can always find refuge in God. When you trust Him wholeheartedly, David, who outlived his enemy Saul and became king, already told you what will happen: you will be blessed.

Taste and see that the Lord is good. Your eyes will widen with delight, and you won’t be able to get enough.

Now, let’s pray.

God, thank You for being my refuge in hard times. I can always run to You, and I know You will be there to protect me, help me, and give me the victory. Even in hard times and bad situations, I will yet declare, You are good, and I am blessed because I take refuge in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Get more inspiration from Dianna Hobbs weekdays, Monday through Friday, right here on Your Daily Cup of Inspiration. Be sure to catch up on encouragement that you missed, and if you need prayer, don’t hesitate to ask for it here. The ministry team is standing by 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, to intercede. Until next time, stay encouraged.